INTRO

I. David’s Reign Over Judah Chs. 1-4

A. David Learns of Saul’s Death Ch. 1

B. David Takes the Throne of Judah Chs. 2-4

With the death of Saul at the Battle of Jezreel, Israel split into 2 factions; Judah to the South & the other tribes of Israel to the north.

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son became king
of Israel while the tribe of Judah crowned David king.

There was a civil war that lasted for 7 years between the 2
groups.

But when Ishbosheth offended Abner,
the leader of Israel military force, Abner defected to David & the decline
of Ishbosheth’s power began.

Joab, David’s chief general murdered Abner in revenge for
killing his brother in battle.

David was furious about this act of
treachery, but knew at that point there was little he could do about it.

He knew Joab’s
hot-headedness & scheming would one day catch up with him & extract
their own just payment.

In ch. 4, we read of Ishbosheth’s end.

8. Ishbosheth murdered 4:1-12

1When
Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled.

After Saul’s death, Abner had been the real leader of &
power in the north.

Ishbosheth was little more than
window dressing.

With Abner’s demise, there was a
massive leadership vacuum.

2Now Saul’s
son had two men who were captains of troops. The name
of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of
Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin. (For Beeroth also was part
of Benjamin, 3because
the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there until this day.)

Beeroth was one of the towns in the disputed border region
between Israel & Philistia in the territory of Benjamin.

Because it was subject to so many
battles, the Benjamites had fled from it to live at Gittaim.

The brothers Baanah & Rechab were Beerothites who’d
become 2 of Abner’s commanders.

[Their Beerothite names were Miller
& Guinness. J]

As members of the tribe of
Benjamin, they ought to have been loyal to Ishbosheth, a fellow Benjamite.

But they were little more
than crass opportunists who saw the winds of political change blowing toward
David.

V. 4 is a short parenthesis is the story of these brothers.

4Jonathan,
Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was
five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his
nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he
fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth’s nurse knew the victorious Philistines would
immediately move against the now vanquished Saul’s headquarters at Gibeah.

So she gathered up 5 year old son
of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, and took off.

But she dropped the poor kid and
his legs broke.

They were never set properly,
leaving him permanently lame.

5Then the
sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out and came at about the
heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who was lying on his bed at
noon. 6And
they came there, all the way into the house, as though to get
wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother
escaped. 7For
when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then
they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all
night escaping through the plain. 8And they brought the head of Ishbosheth
to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the
son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the Lord has avenged my lord the king this
day of Saul and his descendants.”

These guys thought David would reward them for killing
Ishbosheth.

After all, Judah & Israel have been at war for years and Ishbosheth was the enemy king.

As in a game of chess – take the
king – game’s over!

But these guys have no clue as to David’s outlook on how
he’s to come to the throne over the entire nation.

Killing the son of Saul was not the
route he’d planned or wanted.

He was willing to wait till the
people of Israel willingly welcomed him as their king.

9But David
answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and
said to them, “As the Lord
lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, 10when someone told me, saying, ‘Look,
Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him
executed in Ziklag—the one who thought I would give him a reward
for his news. 11How
much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own
house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and
remove you from the earth?” 12So David commanded his young men, and they executed them,
cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of
Abner in Hebron.

David executed these guys for their treachery & treason
against Ishbosheth.

He didn’t want anyone to think his
rise to the throne of Israel had been by some sinister, back-stabbing,
assassination conspiracy.

II. David’s Reign Over All Israel Chs. 5-10

A. David Takes Throne of All Israel 5:1-5

1Then
all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed
we are your bone and your flesh. 2Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you
were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd
My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’” 3Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at
Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over
Israel. 4David was
thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty
years. 5In Hebron he
reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned
thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

While each tribe had its own elders who served as local
leaders, they knew none of them had the ability to assume the throne of the
entire land – only one man possessed that capability – David.

And they knew IN FACT that God had
called him to that role.

Even when Saul reigned, it
was obvious David was the real leader, as his previous skill at leading the
army against the Philistines had so amply shown.

David was 30 when he ascended to the throne of Judah at Hebron.

That was the age at which the
priests began their service in the temple. [Num. 4:3; 1 Chron. 23:3]

He reigned for 40 years; the
first 7 were over just the tribe, of Judah, the balance was over the entire
nation following Ishbosheth’s death.

[MAP]

Once the northern tribes aligned under David’s rule, he wisely
moved his capital away from Hebron which was deep inside Judah, to a location that was more central.

Right on the border between Judah & the north was a hilly region Joshua & the army of Israel had defeated in the
original conquest of the Promised Land, but had been reclaimed by
the local Canaanites. [Judges 1:8,21]

The main city that controlled the
area was a small but strong fortress called Jebus or Jerusalem.

The Canaanites who’d reclaimed it
were known as Jebusites.

Because up to this point Jerusalem wasn’t the possession of
any one tribes of Israel & was located in a kind of no-man’s land – yet
geographically was in the very center of the nation – it made a prime
spot for the new capital.

That it was a fortress that was
easily defensible recommended it as well.

But first, it had to be captured,
taken from the Jebusites – who weren’t going to just open their doors &
welcome David in.

B. Jerusalem Captured 5:6-16

6And the
king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of
the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the
blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.”

The walls of Jerusalem gave the defenders great confidence
in the safety of their homes.

Built at the top of a cliff, they
afforded those who stood on the wall such an advantage. Even if they were blind
or lame they’d be able to defeat an attacker – or so they thought.

What the Jebusites hadn’t planned for was an attack by less
obvious means.

So while they were bragging about
their defenses, David was figuring out an alternative way into
the city.

7Nevertheless
David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8Now David said on that day,
“Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the
lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he
shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame
shall not come into the house.”

Scholars are at a loss in interpreting vs. 7&8 because
they contain archaic Hebrew they’re unsure the meaning of.

The thought is that some of the
words may be loan words from the Jebusites who issued this taunt about the
blind & lame.

Their taunt incited David’s
anger. When he took the city, as punishment, he blinded the Jebusites who
survived & made them lame. From that day forward they were banned from
entering the city.

David knew that a frontal assault on the walls & gate of
the city would be suicide, so he devised another strategy for getting in.

Remember that his hometown of Bethlehem was just over 4 miles south of Jerusalem, so he’d heard stories of the city and
knew there was no water supply inside the city walls.

[Diagram] The city’s water was
drawn from the Gihon Spring which was located on the western side of the Kidron
valley that lies on the east of Jerusalem.

The Jebusites had dug a trough
along the hillside which channeled the water inside the city walls.

They then covered the spring and
trough so no one outside the city knew where it was.

The people then lowered buckets via
ropes down a long shaft to the water .

David knew this secret water supply system could provide a
secret way into the city.

He gave an incentive to his troops,
saying the one who found the shaft would get a promotion.

1 Chronicles 11 tells us once the
shaft was discovered, Joab led some men in a raid that captured the city.

[Picture of Warren’s Shaft]

9Then David
dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all
around from the Millo and inward.

Archaeologists aren’t sure what the Millo was but the
general consensus is that it’s the system of terraces that line the eastern
slope of the hill the City of David was built on.

There’s a deep cut in the ridge the
oldest part of the city of David was built on.

So the people had filled it in to
enlarge the space to build on.

This meant they had to build
several retaining walls, which they then filled with dirt, building it up,
layer by layer. [Picture]

10So David
went on and became great, and the Lord
God of hosts was with him.

Of course – that’s why he became great, because God was with
him.

11Then
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters
and masons. And they built David a house.

The relationship between David & the king of Tyre up north in Lebanon was fantastic.

Lebanon grew fantastic stands of
cedar.

Tyre had master carpenters who were
skilled in the latest forms of architecture & construction.

Hiram sent wood and workers to help in the construction of
David’s new palace.

12So David
knew that the Lord had
established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for
the sake of His people Israel.

This is a key statement – and marks a turning point in the
story of David.

What he’d long hoped for is now
realized.

His throne is secure, and the
nation will rise to it’s potential as a people blessed by God.

While David was far from perfect, the failure that had
ruined Saul was not something David had a hard time with; in other words, David
wasn’t corrupted by power.

As it says here – he understood his
role as king to be a place of service for the people.

Rule wasn’t power to control
others – it was position to serve them.

There’s a well-worn axiom that says – “Power corrupts.”

That’s a universal truth, but there
is one way to avoid the trap of power’s corruption, and that’s to hold power
with a mindset that sees it as a tool to be used in the benefit & blessing
of others, not self.

In politics, many live by the credo;

1st Rule: Get
Power at all costs

2nd Rule: Increase
Power by any means

3rd Rule: Preserve
Power from every challenge

These are the ones who fall
to corruption precisely because they see power as something to wield over
others instead of as a tool to serve them.

If v. 12 reveals David’s glory in the political
arena, v. 13 highlights his failure in the domestic
sphere.

13And David
took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. 14Now these are the names of
those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan,
Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua,
Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama,
Eliada, and Eliphelet.

It’s not clear if these additional wives & concubines
were women he thought he could have a genuine romantic relationship with, or if
he was merely adopting the custom of the time which required a king to have a
harem – the larger and more lovely – the greater his supposed grandeur &
glory.

At least one of the 11 sons mentioned here was the result of
a romantic relationship – Solomon, the son of David & Bathsheba.

C. Philistines Defeated 5:17-25

Covered 2 Sundays ago.

D. The Ark Comes to Jerusalem Ch. 6

Will cover this Sunday.

E. God’s Covenant with David Ch. 7

1. David’s desire to build the temple 7:1-3

1Now it
came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his
enemies all around, 2that
the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but
the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 3Then
Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for
the Lordis with
you.”

David’s palace is complete and the army of Israel has defeated here numerous enemies on all sides.

New wealth flows into the nation
every year as whatused to be oppressors now send
tribute to David.

The ark of the covenant is with David in the new capital,
and it irked him that it was sitting in a tent while he enjoyed the luxury of
his new palace.

So in conversation with Nathan one day, he shares his desire
to build a permanent home for the ark.

Nathan thinks that’s a great idea
& gives Dave a big thumbs up, pronouncing the blessing of God on the
venture.

But Nathan spoke presumptuously.

2. God’s reply through Nathan 7:4-17

4But it
happened that night that the word of the Lord
came to Nathan, saying, 5“Go
and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell
in? 6For I have not dwelt
in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt,
even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about with all the
children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of
Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you
not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

There’s a hint ofsurprise in
God’s response to David’s offer – “You want to be build ME a house when
all I’ve ever known is a tent? No one else has ever been concerned about this
before.”

The tabernacle had to be mobile for obvious reasons as they
made their way from Egypt to Canaan.

But now that
they’re safely settled in the land and secure under David’s reign, maybe it’s
time for a change.

8Now
therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from
the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9And I have been with you
wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and
have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are
on the earth. 10Moreover
I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them,
that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the
sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11since the time that I commanded
judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest
from all your enemies. Also the Lord
tells you that He will make you a house. 12“When your days are fulfilled and you
rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from
your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for My name,
and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be his Father, and he shall be
My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with
the blows of the sons of men. 15But
My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I
removed from before you. 16And
your house and your kingdom shall be established forever
before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17According to all these words and
according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

God was blessed by David’s desire to build a permanent
temple for the ark, but it will not be for him to do it – his son will.

In v. 10, God says that He will
make it clear WHERE that temple is to stand.

We’ll see later how God does that.

Then God goes on to say that while David’s desire has been
to build God a permanent house, God will instead build him one.

His throne will not be given to
another as Saul’s was.

David’s dynasty will be eternal.

Both David & Nathan understood
that this was nothing less than a narrowing of the prophecies about the Messiah
who would one day come to redeem the Earth & fallen humanity.

That promise had first been spoken to Adam & Eve just
after the Fall.

Then in Gen. 12, it was narrowed to
the family of Abraham, then to Isaiah, then to his son Jacob, who narrowed even
further to the tribe of Judah.

Now it’s narrowed to the sons of
David.

What God says here about David’s son applied equally
to both Solomon & Jesus.

Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem.

Jesus made us into a living temple
through the cross & resurrection.

As v. 14 says, Solomon fell away
from God for a time & suffered for it.

Jesus never committed sin, but the
Heb. word “commit” here can also mean to be bowed down by.

Our sin was place on Christ on the
cross – He was made sinfor us, the we might
be made righteousin Him.

3. David’s praise of God 7:18-29

18Then King
David went in and sat before the Lord;
and he said: “Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You
have brought me this far? 19And
yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken
of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the
manner of man, O Lord GOD?

He’s overwhelmed with the goodness of God.

When he first spoke to Nathan of
his plan to build a temple for the ark – it just seemed like the right thing to
do. God’s response is off the chain!

20Now what
more can David say to You? For You, Lord GOD, know Your servant.

Do you ever feel this way? I do – all the time.

“God, You know me! And yet You
love me and work tirelessly to bless me.”

If I knew about another person what I know
about me – I’d call the tip-line & turn them in!

Certainly the FBI or CIA or IRS or
somebody needs to know about the hideous evil that lurks inside!

God sees all of that and still loves & is committed to
our good.

21For Your
word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great
things, to make Your servant know them.

David remembers that in the end, all God’s love &
goodness results in His own glory!

22Therefore
You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You,
nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have
heard with our ears. 23And
who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth
whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and
to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before Your people
whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24For You have made Your people Israel
Your very own people forever; and You, Lord,
have become their God. 25“Now,
O Lord God, the word which
You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house,
establish it forever and do as You have said. 26So let Your name be magnified forever,
saying, ‘The Lord of
hosts is the God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant
David be established before You. 27For You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this
to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has
found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.

Note that – David’s prayer was a response to
what God had already revealed to him.

That’s what prayer ought always to
be – a response to & application of God’s
revealed will.

28“And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are
true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 29Now therefore, let it please You to
bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for
You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the
house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

28“And now,
O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this
goodness to Your servant.